High School Cafeteria Worker Allegedly Stole $500 a Day for Several Years Amounting to Nearly $1 Million

A former cafeteria manager at North Springs High School in Fulton County, Ga., who allegedly stole $500 a day over several years amounting to approximately $1 million has been arrested.

A Channel 2 Action News report highlighted that information from arrest warrants for ex-cafeteria worker Brenda Watts could possibly have cost the high school $1 million.

Watts was first reported to the news channel last spring by a fellow ex-cafeteria worker who charged that the manager regularly ran a cash-only line for which no records are available.

An investigation into the allegations was launched and police now charge that Watts had carried out "a long-running and extremely profitable theft scheme," according to the report.

Beth Walsh, the former cafeteria worker who blew the whistle on Watts, estimates that her old colleague was running the scheme for "at least 15 years. Up to maybe 20."

Watts, who retired last June a day after the allegations were first made against her, reportedly lives in a five-bedroom, 5,400 square-foot home in south DeKalb County. She had worked with the school system for 26 years.

Her whistleblowing ex-colleague who was fired said she had no regrets about exposing what she did.

"You know, just, if you feel like something's going on, look into it. You could be wrong. But if you're right, you're doing the right thing," said Walsh.

Deputy Fulton County School Superintendent Patrick Burke noted in a statement that they expect the case to be fully prosecuted.

"Beyond taking appropriate personnel actions, when a potential crime occurs, we will investigate and work with law enforcement to prosecute to the full extent of the law," he noted in a statement.